Brittany wildlife: the checklist of animals to observe in Dinan-Cap Fréhel! 🦋
Experience a vacation in Britain under the sign of nature! Between a sand yacht race on the beach of Saint-Jacut-de-la-Mer and a delicious meal in downtown Dinan, set off to discover our different natural environments full of life. Sea, marshes and forest… In Dinan-Cap Fréhel, birds, fish, dolphins and other animals seem to find the right fit! Secret and discreet, this beautiful biodiversity is only revealed to those who take the time to observe it. 🔎
Do you want to discover the species of animals that inhabit our region? Exit books about animals and the ocean! Take out your hiking shoes and your cameras: it's time to treat yourself to a special Brittany wildlife safari. Follow the guide, we have put together a little checklist for you to know which animals to observe in the region! ✅
🌊 On the coast of Brittany: the wildlife of Cap Fréhel
▢ The Azuré des Mouillères butterfly 🦋
🎶 Butterfly of light… Under the winds of Dinan! 🎶
We start our safari with a little shy! However, the moors of Cap Fréhel are home to the second largest population of this small blue-winged butterfly in the West of France.
😙 His little extra tips?
1) It lays its eggs on a flower as rare as it: the Gentian Pneumonanthe.
2) Its larva pretends to be an ant larva and lives in the heart of a colony for months. Washed, fed, bleached... Quiet! 👌
Warning: this balance is fragile! During your walk, remember to respect the paths and instructions of natural areas. 👍
▢ The Common Guillemot - Torda Penguin - Kittiwake combo ????
Why the hell bother at the North Pole when penguins come to nest on the coasts of Brittany? 😛
Yes, yes, you read correctly: the cliffs of Cap Fréhel are the only place in France where common guillemots, Torda penguins and black-legged kittiwakes are visible at the same time!
For those who love numbers as much as these iconic birds 👇
The site is home to 80%, 40% and 5% of the national population respectively. Thanks to a sustainable conservation and preservation approach to the site, Cap Fréhel has multiplied the population of the Torda Penguin tenfold in 10 years. Good news ! Nearly 8 pairs are now distributed between the cliffs of Cap Fréhel, the Sept-Îles Archipelago and the island of Cézembre. Not bad is not it ? And then, to take a photo, it’s still simpler in the region: you don’t have to wear mittens… 🥶
📷 Smart advice:
For beautiful photos of birds without disturbing them, avoid photographing them when they are in their nest! 🪺
🐧 Do not confuse tea towels with penguins and penguins
👉 Penguins live in the southern hemisphere and these species do not fly.
👉 Penguins are present in our hemisphere (North), and they are birds that fly and swim
▢ The Little Egret 🦢
It is sometimes called “white heron” and is recognizable by its slender size, its beautiful white plumage, its long neck, its looong black beak and the yellow fingers of its legs.
🔎 To observe it: meet between February and April on the marshy lakes, lagoons, beaches, ponds, river banks… (in short, where it is wet ☔). It is at this time of year that these large wading birds return from their wintering places (north of the Sahara or tropical West Africa) to settle on their breeding site.
Be careful though : they are particularly vulnerable to terrestrial predators such as dogs. Keep your friends on a leash! 🙏
💡Did you know?
The Little Egret almost disappeared at the end of the 1920th century, because it was hunted to garnish hats with its feathers. It reappeared in France around XNUMX and has since been classified as a protected species (phew 🥰).
▢ Marine mammals: seal and dolphin 🐬
If you are lucky during your trip to Brittany, you will surely come across a species even more improbable than penguins. A family of seals seems to have taken up residence in the destination and likes to bask in the sun ☀️You may have the pleasure of seeing their heads emerge here or there during your stay. Be careful, however, to give them their privacy during your safari: they remain wild animals.
Another unexpected animal for a Brittany wildlife photo safari: the dolphin! These are not uncommon on the Emerald Coast. Bottlenose dolphins and common dolphins sometimes gather in this part of the sea due to a high concentration of food. For an exceptional view during your nature adventure, consider the Cap Fréhel. Perched at an altitude of 70 meters, it is one of the best spots in Brittany to try to see them. But the tip of Saint-Cast ou the goat’s point in Fréhel (or any other tip) will also do the trick! To observe them, there are no miracles: as with the seals, luck will have a lot to do with it. Keeping a close eye on the waves remains the best strategy. Enough to sharpen your senses during your vacation!
📷 Smart advice :
🐬Are you on a boat, paddle or kayak and you see a dolphin or a seal? Remember to stay at least 100 meters from the animal to avoid disturbing it. If it comes on its own, well, it will be your lucky day!
▢ Bonus: the sock tarantula 🧦
We know that it is not only spider enthusiasts who embark on an exploration of the nature of Brittany. But this little harmless tarantula that lives in the dunes has such a cute name that we had to mention it. However, to observe her, it is not easy: she is shy and it is difficult to meet her! 😉
🌿 The Rance Valley: the haunt of Brittany’s wildlife
▢ The feathered beasts of the banks of Rance 🦆
As you can see, we're talking about the incredible biodiversity that you can see while strolling along the banks of the Rance: kingfisher, gray heron, little egret, great spotted woodpecker... Here, bird species thrive. give joy to your heart! The best way to observe them? Treat yourself to a walk in nature and simply be patient! 🧘
📷 Some tips for observing them without disturbing them:
Spring (April-May) is the best time to photograph them. Be patient and quiet so as not to scare them. Keep your distance and stay on the paths or in observatories where available. Be particularly discreet around aquatic species, which can be shy.
🤫 Psst… You will have your chances in the swamp of Sables-d’Or-les-Pins.
▢ The Peregrine Falcon 🦅
It is one of the most mythical birds in France. This large bird of prey masters the air like no other and can exceed 300 km/h! 🏎️
It likes to nest in the cliffs of the Rance Valley, on the ground of steep walls. And that’s very practical when you want to go on a safari in search of Brittany’s wildlife! However, be careful not to disturb him… 🤫
▢ The red squirrel 🐿️
Just like the Sock tarantula, good luck coming across this discreet little animal! But you can follow his trail during your nature walk: splits, gnawed pine cones, and even his nest... You can read him like an open book! 📖
▢ The Kingfisher, the fishing ace 🎣
Beautiful blue and orange colors, a beak shaped like a dagger... No doubt, it's a kingfisher in your sights! 😍
You guessed it from his name: he's an outstanding fisherman! If you are satisfied with shore fishing during your holidays in Brittany, the Martin Fisherman frequents lakes, rivers, ponds and rivers where he does not hesitate to dive to catch his prey! It chooses banks with vegetation and observation posts (branches, posts) which allow it to spot its prey. Not a stupid beast! 😉
💪 Your challenge during your walk? A photo of a Kingfisher on a branch, or even diving. Not easy, we grant you, but, I promise, you will have the right to brag a little if you succeed… 😘
▢ Bats 🦇
Because of old legends, bats are not the most popular of species... And yet, these small mammals are protected! To see them, you'll have to stay up a little late. But hey, after all, that’s what holidays are for too! 🥰
The best way to learn everything about these mammals during your vacation in Brittany? International Bat Night! On August 22, 2024, after an indoor presentation at the Maison de la Rance, go into the field with a specialist to listen to them in the countryside.
In search of Brittany’s wildlife: it’s up to you 👍
👍 Simple good actions to protect the region's species during your safari:
- Walk on marked trails
- Avoid walking on the tops of beaches and dunes, where Ringed Plovers nest and vegetation grows, it is also very sensitive and rare!
- Avoid disturbing wildlife and not chasing birds: these are all opportunities for them to expend energy, which impacts their body condition and, ultimately, their survival.
- Pick up your trash!
- Favor outings at low tide.
- Keep your companions on a leash everywhere on natural spaces, beaches, banks of the Rance... (Really, it's important)
Have you recognized a common frog, a robin, a lizard, a squirrel or any other animal or plant species in the Dinan-Cap Fréhel area? Share your observations on the Municipal Biodiversity Atlas!
Do you want to learn more about Brittany's wildlife before embarking on your safari? Take part in a discovery outing! To do this, go to 👇
📍The Rance Nature House, Quai Talard - Port of Dinan/Lanvallay
📍Le Grand Site de France Cap d’Erquy-Cap Fréhel, 6 - 18 rue Notre Dame in Plevenon
With this, you will become knowledgeable about the wildlife of Brittany!
Source of texts: Dinan Agglomération.